In a little over 5 months I turn 40! For some that seems ancient, while for others it makes themselves feel ancient. It’s a big deal to me.

As we approach Father’s Day weekend I remembered he was close to 40 when his heart disease and diabetes began developing. He passed away in 2003. While there are many things about my father I wish to emulate, his health problems are not one of them.

I have a choice and I choose to turn back the clock and be as healthy at 40 as I was at 20. In fact I want to be in better shape than I was back then. This is the closest picture I have of myself at that age: first day of college when I was 17

Over the years I’ve tried and tried and, while losing some weight , it wasn’t a significant change. Motivation is the key. Feeling better and looking better are nice, but they are goals that are difficult to measure and even harder to visualize. On a daily basis you feel no different.

Last week I found out about the Scale Down Challenge via friend from Twitter and specifically the Social Media Club. I thought this would be a great motivator for me. I’d not just be doing it for myself, but in this modern age with social media, my Twitter followers and Facebook friends would make this a very public experience. I’ll “tweet what I eat” and let you all comment on it, good and bad. All suggestions will be welcome.

Although the public aspect of this contest would be great, a friend reminded me that money has never really been a motivator for me. Helping people is my number one motivator. It’s what I do for a living and I love it. It’s why I am a proud member of the Lawrence Give Back program

Then the idea hit. I won’t win the money for myself, but for the Lawrence Humane Society! If I don’t win, I wouldn’t just be letting myself down and possibly my friends, but all the animals and people that the Humane Society supports. Puppies and kittens are great motivators!

There you have it: what I’m doing and why. Follow my progress at this blog and the twitter username @scaledowndave

3 Responses to "My 40th Birthday gift to myself and others"

Good for you – I am so proud of you for doing this – – I almost (almost) wish that I was starting my weight loss with you (from afar). I join you as I work to loose the rest of my weight to goal. You can do this. I never thought that I would be able to say that I’ve lost 53 pounds (goal is 70). If I can do this you can do it.

Dave Greenbaum aka DoctorDave or incorrectly Dr. Dave does computer repair in Lawrence, KS as well as doing computer repair in Topeka, KS. He's been making "mouse calls" since 1990 and shares his thoughts on various topics here on his blog. If you arrived here directly, make sure to visit the main DoctorDave web site to learn all about Dave and the many services he offers.